Cultivating a Sustainable Future
The Town of Wilton purchased Ambler Farm in 1999 from the Elizabeth Raymond Ambler Trust upon the death of Betty Ambler. The 22-acre property had been neglected, with multiple buildings in need of major repair. The deed of sale stipulated that the Town restore the buildings and property so that they could be used by the community: “The original portion of the main Victorian house (exclusive of the attached rear areas), the white barn and the red barn as identified on said Parcel must be preserved in their current condition and brought up to satisfactory code for uses as aforedescribed [education or agriculture].”
By December 2010, structural repairs and stabilization of the front section of the house had been completed. Interior pieces were catalogued and stored for future use. Due to funding constraints at the time, structural repairs to the rear section of the house were not completed.
Renovation resumed in November 2012 after the Friends of Ambler Farm matched the first of two Town commitments of $125,000 apiece, as approved by Wilton voters. A basement foundation was poured to support the back section of the building, a fire stairway was added allowing safe, second-floor egress required by code, and a new cedar roof replaced the old asphalt roof, which was in poor condition.
In May 2014, the Town of Wilton voters approved an additional $250,000 to continue the restoration. Additional funds raised from private individuals, including a generous gift from the Elizabeth Raymond Ambler Trust, allowed FoAF to match the Town’s commitment.
In May 2025, the Town of Wilton voters overwhelmingly approved $1,286,618 to be used towards the completion of the Raymond-Ambler House. The final phase includes completing all of the interior work (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, fire suppression system, insulation, drywall, trim, kitchen and bathrooms), as well as new septic system, site work, new patio space and garden.
Photos above: First floor interior of the Raymond Ambler House.
Raymond-Ambler House Use Plan
Once complete, the Raymond-Ambler House will serve as a hub for community activities and propel us forward for our 20th-year celebration in April 2026. The farmhouse will accommodate more programs, events, exhibits, and meetings, flexible classroom space, a small apartment for a caretaker or seasonal farm hand, and much-needed administrative office space on the second floor. It will enhance our ability to hold historically relevant educational programs. A patio and perennial garden will offer the perfect setting for outside gatherings and enhance our visitors’ experience. Incorporating rain gardens and other sustainable practices to offset our carbon footprint will demonstrate past, present, and future life on a Connecticut farm.
The Raymond Ambler Farmhouse will be transformed into a living symbol of our agrarian heritage—honoring the past while serving the community today and for generations to come. Completing the farmhouse is more than a construction project; it’s an investment in the educational, social, and cultural value that Ambler Farm brings to Wilton and its neighboring towns. It is, truly, a place where good things grow.
Friends of Ambler Farm, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was formed in 2005 to act on behalf of the Town to create and implement educational programs for the farm, and to run its day-to-day operations. Friends of Ambler Farm is a non-profit partner that provides direct value to Wilton residents through educational programs, historic preservation, and community events—services that the Town would otherwise need to provide and fund on its own. Any revenue from our programming supports the day-to-day operations of Ambler Farm, reinvesting directly back into the community.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE RAYMOND-AMBLER HOUSEIf you have any questions about the Raymond Ambler House or would like a tour, please contact Executive Director, Ashley Kineon at ashley@amblerfarm.org.
